Letting guests take pictures with their own phones?

I'm not going to tell guests not to take photos... but I'll probably ask that they delete any bad ones!

My photographer asked that no one take photos during the ceremony except his professional staff. I have a note on our website and the minister will announce it. He's very good, but adamant. Whatever happens, happens!! ❤

FWIW, the use of usually silent cellphones and typically very quiet digital cameras, is so much better than in "my day" when everyone showed up with their loud, flash enabled film cameras.

People turned into the aisle to take pictures prior to digital photography. People stepped in front of the professionals (ahem, grandma!). The difference, imo, was that professionals were actually professional. They had studied photography, they learned at the side of someone more experienced. They understood how to handle it.

Today, too many people have purchased expensive equipment, declared themselves professionals and haven't learned how to finesse a crowd. When hiring a photographer ask questions about how they handle to guest photo lovers. A good professional knows how to handle them. I'd hope that during the important parts of the ceremony that the photographer is using a long lens anyway, all the amateurs won't be in the shot anyway.

As far as the "being present" bit goes, you can't control people's minds. They might not be looking at their phones but there are a lot of other things that might take their minds off of you. In a house of worship they might be looking at the architecture or hymn book. They might be thinking about how awful the pews are. At an outdoor venue they might be listening to kids playing, or birds squawking. At any location they might suddenly remember that thing they needed to pick up at the grocery store they keep forgetting about. So don't worry about it. The only people that need to be mentally, emotionally, and spiritually present are the two of you and the officiant.

My biggest reason for having an unplugged ceremony is I don't want pictures of me walking down to aisle to be posted on social media before the ceremony is even over. I do have several guests who overshare on social media, and I've been very private about our wedding. I also don't want to see phones in all of the professional pictures. I was torn for awhile but I'm very pro-unplugged ceremony. As for the reception, I don't care as much

I am having a unplugged ceremony and will have a sign that says No cell phones/Pictures doing the ceremony. The only person I want taking pictures is the Photographer during the ceremony. I was at a friends wedding where people were acting crazy just to get cell phone pictures and it looked so tacky. One person even uploaded photos onto facebook before the bride and groom could even post. It's disrespectful. People are more than welcome to take all the pictures they want during the reception.

Our photography doesn’t allow it.

I don't know maybe I'm just in a bratty mood now...had to work today but why do ppl care if ppl take pics during your ceremony/reception with their phones? Who cares?! What's the BFD? SORRY!

I initially wanted my ceremony to be unplugged...but I actually forgot to tell my DOC and so walked down the aisle to a bunch of phones pointed right at me, but ya know I was actually happy that it didn't end up what I initially wanted. We got a bunch of photos from friends and family uploaded and it was so fun to relive that moment right away vs waiting for the professional photos. I feel like, if they want to capture the moment, let em! It didn't ruin my moment or my night, was just happy to see all the pics!

View Quoted Comment An IPad? Lol wow that’s an impressive endeavor to get photos ... how obnoxious lol. Just takes one person... so sorry that happened to you :/

I think it’s okay to ask people to put away their phones during the ceremony with the understanding that it still may happen. I have also read stories where photos get lost etc with the photographer and they were glad to have some backup photos from their guests. I think it’s totally up to you!

You can do a cute sign as well as an announcement from your officiant as well. I went to an unplugged wedding and guests were very respectful and followed their wishes.

I actually would love to see photos of my wedding day that I didn't take with the photographer, the at the moment, real picture from my guest(s). I understand not wanting people on their phones being distracting however, it's probably a choice she made for a reason ( probably not a good one); or maybe too critical of what she may look like in other peoples photos and would rather only post approved photos. I think that the people you invite to your wedding would probably love to have at least one picture of you on your special day or else they wouldn't e getting the invite.

WE ABSOLUTELY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TAKING PICTURES AT OUR CEREMONY! We have a photographer and videographer, so we think they will do a sufficient job! The reception is fair game! I went to a wedding this last week (sitting towards the back I could see pictures and pictures of phone! I want my photographer to snap a pic of my guests, so I don't want phones in front of faces. That being said I KNOW I CAN'T CONTROL PEOPLE!

I agree with this 100%. We were at my FH’s cousins wedding last year and her uncle literally was stepping in front of the photographer to get pictures during so many special moments, including their first dance. I can’t imagine all the ones he is in the background of with his own camera. Plus, I am a firm believe of experiencing something first hand and not through the lens of a camera. This will be implemented at my wedding!

You can't control other people but I don't want people taking pictures during my ceremony. I think it's rude. I hired a professional to take nice pictures and I don't want your phones in the way. Also, i don't want people posting pictures of me before I can. I also think that's incredibly rude.

We did an unplugged ceremony. I didn't want to see phones. That was my main goal. I wanted people in the moment having fun, not trying to get in the way of the person we paid.

I know two people took pictures, but the phones are no where in my photos nor did I see them, so I didn't worry about it.

It makes sense to have people keep the phones away during the ceremony (and with my family at least, no one will have issues doing that) but I actually hope people do take pictures during the reception! There might be some moments that I didn't see or the photographer didn't catch.

We are having an unplugged ceremony but guests are encouraged to take pics at the cocktail hour and reception. Our officiant will make an announcement before the ceremony.

Our plan was to ask people to be “present” during the ceremony (after the processional, in like a “get it out of your system and then we’ll proceed” kind of comment) but somehow it got left out of the officiant’s script , and let me tell you — I am so freaking GLAD!!!! Some of my guests got SUCH amazing photos that i am beyond thrilled to have. And we never noticed anyone being all up in our faces or distracting with phones hanging out. Such a happy accident that we didnt discourage this !

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Seriously, right?! lol. Our welcome speech and decor were the only reasons I wish we could have afforded a videographer so photos of our speech was mucho importante to me. Photographer was able to move to the side to get a few, but not really the same. Oh well! Happily, that was just one sad moment out of our grand day and we had 1K+ amazing photos (TOTALLY recommend 2nd photographer!).